WTC Final: BJ Watling will be sorely missed feels Neil Wagner

West Indies resume preparatory camp for SA series after all players tests negative

The full West Indies contingent has resumed training in full swing at the preparatory camp in St Lucia in the lead up to their two-match Test series against South Africa. All the players part of the preparatory camp has returned negative COVID-19 reports in order to resume full-fledged practice. Training sessions had to be cancelled after fast bowler Marquino Mindley tested positive for the deadly virus on 22nd May. In the following days, the players were only allowed to train in smaller groups. It was confirmed by the West Indies Cricket Board that players were divided into two groups and underwent practice sessions on Friday and Saturday. Meanwhile, Mindley who tested positive earlier has also returned a negative report. However, he can only join the squad back after one more negative RT-PCR test. In order to get some practice under their belt, the players will lock horns against each other in a Best vs Best four-day practice game starting on Monday. Meanwhile, West Indies head coach Phil Simmons was satisfied with how things are turning up at the preparatory camp. "I am happy that we are back to full training. We are happy with the preparations up to this point and everyone is fully aware of what is required. Yes, we had four good Test matches (vs Bangladesh and Sri Lanka), but at the same time, people need to know that their position is not guaranteed unless they continue to play well. Guys who are out, need to show that they want to get back in by doing well in these games. So, it is a benefit to every one of us,” Simmons said. West Indies will lock horns against the Proteas in two Tests starting on 10th June at St Lucia. It will be followed by a five-match T20I series slated to be played in Granada. West Indies will also host Pakistan and Australia in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup in November. Full training camp squad Jermaine Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner, Darren Bravo, Shamrah Brooks, John Campbell, Roston Chase, Rahkeem Cornwall, Keron Cottoy, Joshua Da Silva, Shannon Gabriel, Keon Hoarding, Jahmar Hamilton, Kavem Hodge, Chemar Holder, Shai Hope, Kyle Mayers, Obed McCoy, Preston McSween, Marquino Mindley, Shayne Moseley, Paul Palmer Jr, Veerasammy Permaul, Anderson Philip, Kieran Powell, Raymon Reifer, Jayden Seales, Nial Smith, Oshane Thomas, Hayden Walsh Jr, Jomel Warrican

Would love to share new ball: Anderson wants to pair up with Broad despite rotation policy

England’s two of the most experienced quicks James Anderson and Stuart Broad have among them more than 900 scalps while bowling together and Anderson feels they could add to that tally, even more, this summer. The senior partner in the partnership, Anderson is also approaching his 1000 First Class wicket and is on his way to becoming the most capped English Test player in the history of the game. “I don’t know what the plan is for the summer. We [He and Broad] have been texting quite a bit and we would love to play together but it’s out of our hands. We have to prepare as well as we can to make sure we are in the best shape possible,” Anderson told Skysports. Speaking about the showpiece event of this summer, the five-match Test series against India, Anderson, who would be turning 39 in July said, “Yes. I’d love to play all seven Tests this summer. There are five Tests against India after these two Tests against New Zealand, and then the Ashes after that.” “So, we want to start this summer well. So hopefully if we do pick our strongest team, we (Anderson and Stuart Broad) would like to think that we’re both in that. And we’d love to share the new ball, yes,” added the Burnley born speedster. Jofra archer would be missing the English summer due to elbow surgery and Anderson wants him to recuperate slowly but fully considering the interest of England in the upcoming winter season. "It's tough when you have a recurring injury like that but as a bowler, it's part and parcel of the job, really,” he said. "It might take a bit of time over the summer to get it right but from an English point of view we need him fighting fit for the winter with the T20 World Cup and the Ashes,” added Anderson who would be looking to hit the ground running on June 2 at Lord’s.

Never imagined in a million years: James Anderson on becoming most-capped English Test player

James Anderson is fit and running and he showed that in the county championship game that he played earlier this month. Now the 38-year-old would be aspiring to, first, equal his former skipper Alastair Cook’s record for most Test caps (161) when he plays the first Test of the two Tests series against New Zealand at Lord's on June 2, and, then overhaul it by getting a place in the xi in the second Test as well. "For a bowler to play this amount of games, I don't know what the word is, but it's a bit mind-blowing to me," a thrilled Anderson was quoted as saying to Skysports. "It does make me feel proud. I never imagined in a million years I'd get to this point. I don't feel like I've played that many games. My body doesn't feel old or tired,” added the man who has played 160 Tests in a span of 18 years. Talking about his love for the format in which he is the highest wicket-taker among the active bowlers, and has most wickets for a fast bowler (614 wickets), Anderson said, "I just absolutely love Test cricket.” “I've got a huge passion for it. Growing up, all I wanted to do is play Test cricket for England and I'm honoured I've been able to do it for this long,” the Burnley born added. The right arm swing bowler is also approaching another milestone of 1000 First Class wickets, having accumulated 992 till now. Anderson believes that it is a rare feat considering the amount of T20 cricket that is being played currently in the world. “It's a lot of wickets and in this day and age, I don't know if it's possible to get that many first-class wickets anymore,” said Anderson who picked up three wickets playing for Lancashire against Glamorgan in the Championship recently. “With the amount of cricket that's played there doesn't seem to be that longevity in bowlers and there's loads of T20 cricket and whatever else going on around the world. I'm just happy to still be here, to be honest,” he added.

Trust and respect - Virat Kohli explains his relationship with MS Dhoni

Indian skipper Virat Kohli has described his relationship with former skipper, MS Dhoni, as one of trust and respect. During a question and answer session on Instagram, Kohli was asked to describe his relationship with the legendary Indian skipper in two words. In reply, Kohli wrote, “trust and respect”. Kohli has always been vocal about his cordial relationship with Dhoni despite several reports claiming about their indifference which led to Dhoni’s Test retirement midway through the tour of Australia in 2014. However, both have always maintained a healthy bonding with each other and has been hardly bothered by what has been spoken about them in the media. In a live session with Ravichandran Ashwin last year, Kohli has spoken about his elevation as the skipper of the Indian team and how Dhoni played a pivotal role in elevating him as the skipper of the national team. Kohli had said that how he was always in the ears of the former skipper suggesting different tactics. "I have always been inclined towards taking responsibility. After my debut for India, it was just about wanting to play, it was about being in the Indian XI all the time. Then with your intrigue in the game you start talking to the captain regularly. I was always in MS’s ears, discussing different tactics, “ Kohli had said. Back in 2017, Kohli had presented a platinum bat to Dhoni on the occasion of his 300th ODI. He had called Dhoni his captain for a lifetime having started his career under Dhoni’s tenure. “You will always remain our captain,” Kohli had said. Following Dhoni’s retirement from all forms of cricket in August 2020, Kohli had shared a video where he spoke about the great camaraderie which they shared and wished him all the best for his future endeavours.